Thirty-Seven up-and-coming Fuji and Juju music artistes have progressed to the Semi-Final stage in the ongoing Ariya Repete competition scheduled to hold in Lagos on Friday; a talent organised by Goldberg to promote and develop indigenous Yoruba music.
The quarter-finals, held at Midas Arena, Ado-Ekiti, featured a fantastic display of music and drumming talent by various acts who were recently mentored at Ariya Repete Academy in Ibadan by veteran artistes and music producers.
Some of the lucky 32 contestants include Juju artistes Ayegbayo Oluwaseun, Akinlabi Johnson, Korede Daniel, Wale Bravo, Bukola Ahmed, Prince Ade Michael, Femi Bright, Adebayo Adetayo.
While those from the Fuji category are AshafaOlushola Martins, SaheedAkangbe, RemilekunOlukotun, Mohammed Adewale, Ishola Ade Eric, Ode Ayomide, SuliamonAsibola Destiny, Olayemi Kehinde, Sodiq Ishola, Sulaimon Ajao, AdewaleOderinde, and Abiodun Olotu.
Expressing joy on reaching the semi-finals, Ashafa Olusola Martins from Ibadan region appreciated the organisers for the opportunity afforded young people to showcase their talent to the world. He was particularly thankful for the grooming and mentoring sessions at Ariya Repete Academy. This, he said impacted positively on his performance in Ado-Ekiti.
For Bukola Ahmed from Sango Ota region, it was another opportunity to prove herself as she had previously participated at the Ariya Repete 2017 edition. She said “This time, I am looking forward to giving a better account of myself in Lagos during the Semi-Final. I have my eyes on the two million naira.”
Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager and Stout brands, Emmanuel Agu said: “We are deeply impressed by the performance of the artistes so far and can’t wait to reveal the latest future Juju and Fuji music greats to the world.
That is what Ariya Repete is all about: developing and promoting indigenous Yoruba music, artistry and drumming talent, and Nigerian Breweries is glad to be leading the charge in that regard.”
The semi-finals will take place on May 4 at the National Stadium, Surulere, in Lagos where the 20 successful musicians selected at the Quarter Final in Ado-Ekiti will slug it out along with the 12 traditional drummer groups. The contestants would be pruned down to 10 musicians and six drummers for the grand finale.
The Senior Brand Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Funso Ayeni, noted that he was pleased with the quality of artistry displayed by the artistes.
Ayeni further encouraged the contestants to do a lot better in Lagos while charging the judges including Champion Kunle Opio, Adebayo Faleke, AceAlhaji Sikiru Agboola – SK Sensation, to select the very best among the participants for the Grand Finale.
Meanwhile, frontline musicians from Fuji and Juju genres including Adewale Ayuba, Adekunle Gold, Taye Currency, Saheed Osupa and Sir Shina Peters are scheduled to perform at the Semi-Finals in Lagos as the grand finale is scheduled to hold at Trans Amusement park, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on May 11.
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